7 Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in the Florida Keys
If you’re anything like me, you hate traveling without your furry friend!
After getting our golden retriever, Frankie, we wanted to take him on as many adventures as we could. Especially to our favorite place, the Florida Keys!
The Keys are surprisingly dog-friendly, and there are a good amount of resorts that allow dogs to join you on your vacation.
Of course, some resorts are more welcoming than others, especially when it comes to where the dogs can actually go on property.
In this guide, I’m breaking down my top pet-friendly resorts in the Florida Keys, including all the details you need to know like pet fees, limitations, and exactly where your pooch is allowed to join you!
Things to Know Before Visiting the Florida Keys With Your Dog
Before I get into the list of hotels below, I wanted to set a few expectations for your visit to the Florida Keys with your furry friend!
First, no matter how dog-friendly each resort is, they will likely require your dog to be on a leash at all times.
This is because Monroe County (the county that serves the Keys) has a mandatory leash law, which requires animals in public places to be on a leash. (The only loophole for this seems to be the Dog Beach in Key West).
So, don’t be upset when you see this rule – it’s the law!
Secondly, all resorts on this list do not allow dogs in the pool (I don’t think there are any resorts in the Keys that do allow this). Some, however, let dogs swim in the ocean from the resort’s beach, which is as good as it gets in the Keys!
Third, I have written this post for dogs specifically, as almost every resort specified dogs only (sorry cat owners!).
In general, the Keys are very dog-friendly! Almost every restaurant has some sort of outdoor section, and most of them allow dogs. Some boat tours also allow dogs! (More dog-friendly guides coming soon!!).
Now, here’s a quick guide to the top dog-friendly resorts in the Florida Keys, which more details on each below!
| Resort | Location | Pet Fee | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largo Resort | Key Largo | $75/dog/night | No weight limit (2 dogs max) |
| Baker’s Cay Resort | Key Largo | $75/night (up to 4 nights) | Up to 75 lbs each (2 dogs max) |
| The Islander Resort | Islamorada | $100/night (covers up to 2 dogs) | No weight limit (2 dogs max) |
| Isla Bella Beach Resort | Marathon | $100/night (1st dog), $25/night (2nd) | No weight limit, dogs must be 1+ year old (2 dogs max) |
| Hawk’s Cay Resort | Duck Key | $150 flat/stay (up to 2 dogs) | No weight limit (2 dogs max) |
| Havana Cabana | Key West | $75/dog/night (1 dog), $100/night (2 dogs) | 50 lbs or less (2 dogs max) |
| Key West Historic Inns | Key West | $50/dog/night | No restrictions |
Largo Resort
📍 Location: Key Largo
💰 Pet Fee: $75 per dog, per night
🔍 Limitations: 2 dogs per room
As a luxury, boutique hotel, I wouldn’t expect the Largo Resort in Key Largo to allow dogs. However, they do!
This six-acre resort is tucked away in the center of Key Largo and features 11 different style of accommodations, a mix of bungalows and beach houses.
Dogs are welcome in specific ones, which are: Twilight, Sunrise, Serenity, Paradise, Beach House, and Shore House.
(The Shore House has an additional $250 cleaning fee.. not sure why but I assume it has to do with sand?).
Each room can have up to two dogs per stay, costing $75 per dog per day. In addition, there is a $250 refundable hold required at check-in for any potential damages.
Pets must remain leashed at all times, and they are not permitted in or around the pool area.
The resort does have a private beach, so I assume dogs are allowed to swim there since it is not called out on their website as a no-go area 🙂
Overall, this is a great option if you are looking for a more luxurious, quiet stay in the Florida Keys but still want to bring your dog!
Baker’s Cay Resort
📍 Location: Key Largo
💰 Pet Fee: $75 per night (up to 4 nights); $150 deep cleaning on 5th night
🔍 Limitations: 2 dogs per room, up to 75 lbs each
Baker’s Cay Resort is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, and one of the best true “resorts” in the Florida Keys. The property sits on 13 bayfront acres in Key Largo, with tons of beachfront areas, walking paths, restaurants, and more.
The resort’s website says the weight limit for dogs is 40 pounds; however, when I called, they said they allow dogs up to 75 pounds!
And the $75 per night fee covers up to 2 dogs per room, which is a nice perk.
The only 2 places that dogs are not allowed are at the pool or at the indoor restaurant seating. However, all restaurants have outdoor seating options where you can bring your pet!
My favorite part of Baker’s Cay is how much beach there is, so if your dog likes to swim in the ocean, they will love staying here!
Crated pets can be left in the room unattended too, which is a nice bit of flexibility if you want to grab dinner without your dog in tow.
The Islander Resort
📍 Location: Islamorada
💰 Pet Fee: $100 per night (up to 2 dogs)
🔍 Limitations: 2 dogs per room. No weight limit.
The recently renovated Islander Resort is a great place to stay in the Florida Keys with your doggies!
A big reason for this is because all of the rooms at Islander are on the ground floor, which means no stairs or elevators for your pup. Dogs are allowed in all room types, including both the bungalows and the suites.
And another perk, there is no weight limit for dogs staying at Islander (you just can’t have more than 2 dogs per room). The $100 per night pet fee covers both dogs.
Dogs are allowed in all areas of the resort, except for the pool areas. They are allowed at the open-air restaurants on property.
The Islander also has large stretches of private beach, which dogs are allowed to swim at!
You must crate your dog when leaving them alone in the room, but the Islander does offer crates to use free of charge! In addition, the resort will give you a hanger for the front door to alert housekeeping that a pet is occupying the guest room.
Islamorada Resort Collection
📍 Location: Islamorada
💰 Pet Fee: Varies
🔍 Limitations: 2 dogs per room. No weight limit.
Okay, I’m cheating a little bit here by lumping three resorts together, but there is a reason for it!
The Islamorada Resort Collection includes 3 distinct resorts: Three Waters, Amara Cay, and La Siesta. (There is a water taxi and shuttle that runs between the resorts which dogs are allowed on!).
All 3 of these resorts allow all dogs with no weight limit in any of the rooms, which is great!
However, the fees vary resort to resort, as well as where you can take your dog.
At Three Waters Resort, there is a $150 non-refundable pet fee per room per stay.
At Amara Cay and La Siesta, the pet fee is $50 per pet per day. However, a portion of the proceeds is donated to the Upper Keys Humane Society and you’ll also get a reusable water bowl, treat and waste bags!!
In terms of where your dog can go, Three Waters seemed the most strict when I called, stating that dogs are not allowed at the beach or the pool check areas.
However, both Amara Cay and La Siesta do allow dogs to be on the beach area, with La Siesta having the best shallow swimming area of the two!
La Siesta even has a room option called the Bote House that has a fenced-in yard, which would be amazing to stay in with your pet!
Isla Bella Beach Resort
📍 Location: Marathon
💰 Pet Fee: $100 per night ($25 for second dog)
🔍 Limitations: 2 dogs per room. No weight limit. 1 year and older.
Frankie and I got the chance to visit the beautiful Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon last July and had a fantastic time!!
This dog-friendly resort boasts 5 pools and a sprawling sandy property! Your pet fee gets you a water bowl, waste bags, a dog bed (cannot take home), a door magnet, and a toy.
I recommend requesting/booking a ground level floor if you can, especially the Oceanfront Walkout Suite, which had an adorable porch right off the sand!
Frankie’s favorite part of the resort was the beach area, where he would’ve swam all day if I let him. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the pool areas, so we had to rinse him off in the room shower, which wasn’t a huge deal.
Like many places in the Keys, the resort is mostly crushed limestone/sand, but there is a designated dog-relief area along a paved walkway that has doggie bags and pine straw/grass.
The main restaurant on property, Mahina, has outdoor seating where your dogs can join you as well.
Another highlight of staying at Isla Bella was being steps away from the Old Seven Mile Bridge, which is a great place to walk your dog in the morning before it gets too hot! Frankie loved it!
You can also ride bikes here, and the hotel offers complimentary bikes to use.
(P.S. Check out my Instagram Reel below for more details on our stay at Isla Bella!)
And one stand-out feature of Isla Bella is their pet sitting! While pricey, you can hire a resort employee to visit your dog in the room or take them for a walk around the property. The cost for this is $150 for the first hour and $50 for each additional hour.
Isla Bella requires all dogs be crated when you leave the room, and you’ll need to schedule housekeeping services in advance.
Hawk’s Cay Resort
📍 Location: Duck Key
💰 Pet Fee: $150 per stay (up to 2 dogs); additional $200 over 5 nights
🔍 Limitations: 2 dogs per room
Hawk’s Cay is a sprawling, 60-acre resort located just north of Marathon on Duck Key, in the heart of the Florida Keys.
It’s a very popular resort for families thanks to its large host of on-site amenities. And now, it’s dog-friendly too!
They call it their Vacay Pup package (so cute!). Upon checking in, you’ll get an amenity package, with a water bowl, bandana, relief bags and more, as well as access to a Pup Planner to help answer any dog-specific questions you might have.
While the resort has both standard hotel rooms and villas, dogs are only allowed in the hotel rooms. Dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome.
They’ve also created pet-friendly menus at several of their on-site restaurants, including the Marketplace, Angler & Ale, and Tiki Beach.
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to swim anywhere on property (pools or ocean). While there is a saltwater lagoon on property, dogs are not allowed to swim in it, just walk around it.
However, the resort does have some dog-friendly boat charters where you can take your pup out on the water!
Havana Cabana
📍 Location: New Town Key West
💰 Pet Fee: $75 per dog per night ($100 for 2 dogs)
🔍 Limitations: 50 pounds or less. 2 dogs per room
Havana Cabana is a vibrant, Cuban-inspired resort located on the northern side of Key West!
They allow all types of dogs as long as they are 50 pounds and under. The pet fee is $75 per dog per night and includes a dog friendly goodie bag for your pooch.
Most of the resort is dog-friendly, including the lobby, Tiki Hut, game areas, and pool bar – dogs are just not allowed in the pool or jacuzzi themselves.
Their website says dogs “should not be left unattended in guest rooms”.
There is an on-site restaurant, Flama Cabana, that does allow dogs in their outdoor seating section.
Havana Cabana also offers a free shuttle for resort guests down to Old Town Key West, which dogs are allowed to ride as well. This is great news, because there are several dog-friendly beaches and restaurants in Old Town, including Key West Dog Beach and Higgs Beach Dog Park!
Key West Historic Inns
📍 Location: Old Town Key West
💰 Pet Fee: $50 per dog per night
🔍 Limitations: No restrictions
Old Town is the historic part of Key West, so traditional hotels are much less common. Instead, you’ll find many bed and breakfasts, boutique stays, and vacation rentals.
The Key West Historic Inns are a collection of 5 different inns located within Old Town Key West: Winslow’s Bungalows, Ridley House, Fitch Lodge, Lighthouse Hotel, and Ella’s Cottages.
Thankfully, all 5 of these inns are pet-friendly with no size or breed restrictions, with a pet fee of $50 per dog per night.
Unfortunately, all of these inns are small, historic homes, so there isn’t a ton of room to walk or lounge with your dog.
However, there are plenty of places around Old Town to take your dog, including the pet-friendly beaches mentioned above, plus restaurants, or even just a stroll through Old Town’s charming streets!
Final Thoughts
Traveling to the Florida Keys doesn’t mean you have to leave your furry friend behind! But there are some things to consider before booking the first dog-friendly hotel you see advertised.
If your dog loves to swim, Baker’s Cay, Largo Resort, Isla Bella, and The Islander Resort are your best bets, as these resorts have real beach access without a ban getting in the way.
However, there are plenty of places around the Keys you can take your dog to swim outside of these resorts, too! I will be publishing more dog-friendly guides to the Keys soon 🙂
Save this post for your next Florida Keys trip with your pup!
